ASYLUM seekers will no longer be forced to wear red wristbands to claim food after a housing firm faced a major public backlash.

The brightly-coloured bands were given to refugees to claim three meals a day.

Clearsprings Ready Homes, the firm behind Lynx House in Cardiff where the bands were handed out, said it was “grateful” for feedback.

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Stephen Doughty spoke out against the bands in Parliament

In a statement, the firm said: "Asylum seekers who spend their initial few weeks at out full-board accommodation in Cardiff have been provided with wristbands since May 2015 to ensure they receive the services they are entitled to and to make sure those more vulnerable asylum seekers have access to their specific requirements.

WALES NEWS SERVICE

Refugee showing the wristband

"As in numerous such establishments where large numbers of people are being provided with services, wristbands are considered to be one of the most reliable and effective ways of guaranteeing delivery.

"We are always reviewing the way we supply our services and have decided to cease the use of wristbands as of Monday 25 January and will look for an alternative way of managing the fair provision of support."

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The bands were compared to Nazi Germany

The Welsh Refugee Council compared the bands to Nazi Germany’s forcing of Jewish people to wear the Star of David.

Policy officer Hannah Wharf said: "We have raised the matter many times with the Welsh Government. It harks back to the Nazi regime with people being forced to wear a Star of David and stand out.

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"It's absolutely appalling, it is treating people like lesser beings. It is treating them like animals lining up to feed."

Labour’s Stephen Doughty called for an investigation into the firm.

And immigration minister James Brokenshire said: "I do expect the highest standards from all contractors including that there is no issue of stigma attached to those under their care, and if there is evidence to suggest that this is not the case, it will be treated with the utmost seriousness."